ANIMAL IMPLANTS TO START AUG. 1.Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer After years of debate and study, the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Animal Services Department announced Monday that it plans to begin implanting microchips in all animals adopted from any of its six shelters starting Aug. 1. Animal Services Director Don Knapp said the chips are expected to help owners identify lost pets, an advance that has been a long-sought goal of the agency to reduce the number of animals put to death each year. It's one of the first programs of its kind in the nation. Under the program, all animals that are adopted will have the chips implanted im·plant v. im·plant·ed, im·plant·ing, im·plants v.tr. 1. To set in firmly, as into the ground: implant fence posts. 2. at a cost of $15, Knapp told the City Council's Public Safety Committee. Other pet owners who want a chip for their animal will be charged $25. Responding to protests from pet activists, who object to the price differential, Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski Cindy Miscikowski represented the 11th District on the Los Angeles City Council for two full terms from 1997 through 2005. Previously, she was an aide to Councilman Marvin Braude and the Executive Director of the Skitball Cultural Center in its beginning stages. , chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee, asked for a report on the different rates. ``If this is something we want to encourage, we should know why we have different rates,'' Miscikowski said. Knapp said the city is charging more than nonprofit organizations Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. because those groups get the chips at a discounted rate. In a related development, the committee asked the department to meet with the Department of Water and Power to discuss a program to help identify residences where dogs live. Part of the city's new dog licensing program includes encouraging pet owners to spay spay v. To surgically remove the ovaries of an animal. spay, spey to remove the ovaries. See also ovariohysterectomy. spay hook see spay hook. or neuter neu·ter adj. 1. Having undeveloped or imperfectly developed sexual organs. 2. Sexually undeveloped. n. A castrated animal. v. To castrate or spay. neuter 1. their animals to control the population growth of unwanted animals. Gini Barrett of the American Humane humane pertaining to the avoidance of infliction of pain, discomfort and harassment; used especially with regard to animals. humane considerations Association, who had served on the Animal Services Commission, said implanting microchips is one of the ``most important things we can do. People forget to put collars on after giving their pet a bath, or a dog gets loose and loses its collar. With microchips, you can find out who this animal belongs to. ``And, when it becomes universally applied, it will help on the public safety level in controlling dogs that are allowed to run free. How many times is there a case where a dog gets free and bites someone and everyone denies being the owner? This will solve that. It is the future.'' |
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